“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” — Psalm 77:11
Memorial Day is more than a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer—it is a day of remembering. To remember is an intentional act. It requires us to pause, to reflect, and to honor those who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.
In Scripture, God often calls His people to remember. Whether it was setting up stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:1-7), celebrating the Passover (Exodus 12:14), or writing His commands on their hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6-9), remembering was never a passive experience. It was a way to recognize His faithfulness and let it shape how they lived.
In a similar way, Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember not only the cost of freedom but also the values that should shape our lives because of it. When we remember the lives given in sacrifice, we are reminded that freedom is never free. It calls us to live with gratitude, to serve others selflessly, and to use our freedom for something greater than ourselves.
For believers, this day also serves as a deeper reminder—the ultimate act of sacrifice was made on our behalf by Jesus Christ. He laid down His life so that we could experience not just national freedom but eternal freedom. His sacrifice does not erase the importance of remembering those who have died for our country, but it gives us a framework for understanding true love and selflessness.
So today, as we remember the fallen, let’s allow their sacrifice to stir something in us—not just gratitude, but a renewed commitment to live with purpose. Let’s honor them not only in memory but in how we love, how we serve, and how we use the freedoms we have been given.